Creating an Academic Coaching Program

Creating an Academic Coaching Program

Shoshana ZeismanNACADA Region 8 Conference 2012

Step-by-Step Guide

Building Relationships Recruitment of Coaches

Peer Coaches Professional Coaches

Training Coaching Resources Recruitment of Students The Coaching Curriculum

University Success Academic Coaching Program - PSU

Designed for first-year, residential students

Standardized curriculum – case management model

Training and resources provided to all coaches

In depth screening process

Built on Campus-wide Partnerships

The Learning Center Advising and Career

Services Formerly the Undergraduate

Advising and Support Center (UASC) and the Career Center

The Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC)

Auxiliary Services Student Affairs

Memorandum of Understanding between partners outlines responsibilities for coaching program.

The Staffing Model

Peer Coaches Learning Community Assistants▪ Provide in-hall academic support▪ Already trained with peer mentors

Professional Coaches Recruited from across campus

Time commitment: about an hour every other week throughout the term for each student.

Recruitment – Professional Coaches

Start with colleagues that you know Look for professional staff on campus

that have limited contact with student, or work with students in a different type of capacity

Ask in person, email or phone Accept referral from other coaches

You just have to ask!

Recruitment - Peer Coaches

Campus-wide advertising Personal Recruitment Group and Individual Interviews Learning Community Assistant Class Peer Mentoring Class

The Training

Professional and Peer 3 hour training sessions Interactive training Coach-centered approach

Overall Peer Training LCA and Peer Mentoring Classes Two week residential, intensive training

Continued Training Monthly coaches gatherings One 1 hour training focused on curriculum

updates

Peer vs. Professional Coaches

Peer Professional

• Part of job description • Volunteer as part of professional role

• New to case management • Often more familiar with case management

• Ongoing training important • Ong0ing training creates connection

• Greater learning curve • Easily assimilated - “fun” part of work life

• Layers of mentoring • Peer exchange and support

• Need more

• Important to match to appropriate developmental stage

• Important to match to background

Coaching Resources

Professional Coaches Initial 3-hour training Monthly coaching

gathering Case management folders Online access via

googlesite:  List-serve Resource Guide – PSU

handbook One-on-one support with

University Success GA or Shoshana

Peer Coaches Initial 3-hour training Monthly coaching

gathering Monthly peer specific

training Weekly supervision Case management folders Online access via

googlesite: List-serve Resource Guide – PSU

handbook One-on-one support with

University Success GA or Shoshana

Recruitment of Students

Fall term: all FYE students receive a postcard and an email about the coaching program before the term begins

Winter and Spring term: all FYE students receive an email around week seven; students that end up on academic warning or academic probation are strongly encouraged to join the coaching program

Screening and Matching

All interested students either emailed or called to request a space in the program

We collected the following information from all students in an effort to match each student with an appropriate coach: Name, Student ID, FRINQ theme, Email, Housing Needs or concerns to be addressed Preference in either peer or professional coach Major

After all students had been matched for the term, the coaches receive an email with their students information and make contact to schedule the first session

The Curriculum – 5 Intentional Sessions

Empowerment and Motivation Strategies SMART Goal Setting Proactive Approach: Academic Planner

IST 199/399 College Success Campus Resources Meeting with Adviser

On Course by Skip Downing Personal Responsibility Wise Choice Process Interdependence

The Numbers: 2010-2011 Academic Year

5 peer coaches and 19 professional coaches

59 students served through 3 quarters Fall 2010▪ 35 students▪ 3.28 Median GPA

Winter 2011▪ 29 students▪ 3.28 Median GPA

Spring 2011▪ 22 students

The Numbers: 2011-2012 Academic Year

26 Professional Coaches 10 New 16 Returning▪ Only 3 coaches did

not return from last year

▪ 2 of the 3 will resume Winter term

5 Peer Coaches

Fall 2011 - 42 students

Winter 2012 - 12 returning students - 7 new students

Spring 2012 - All FYE students have been contacted

The Advances – Year Two

Online intake and exit interview Combined pre- and post-test with information f

or coaches Comprehensive assessment strategy

Curriculum Impacts on student retention and GPA

More systematic training More comprehensive access to resources

for coaches Implementation of a peer coach training

plan Coaching model piloting in Learning Center

Creating a Successful Academic Coaching Program

Cooperation of a broad range of people on campus

A few people dedicated to the program’s success

Thank You!Any Questions?